In appearance, TO46 and TO56 have a clear difference between outer diameter after cover sealing. TO46’s OD is 4.6mm, and TO56’s is 5.6mm. Its internal structure is also different, in general, TO46 is suitable for Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser (VCSEL) elements, TO56 is suitable for edge-emitting laser elements. In fiber-optic communications industry, TO typically has more than 4 pin feet(4,5,6). Their length and diameter are also different for later applications. Usually length is less than 15mm and diameter is less than Ø0.5mm.

What is the TO CAN Lead Straightener?

In fiber-optic communications industry, TO’s long leads are usually retracted in production process because the convenience of mechanical picking and placing. For example,

(1) Leads are inserted into taper holes fixtures, so that the feet are pressed as concentrically. (2) TO chassis manufacturers have pinched pins before shipping to packaging factories. (3) If packaging factories use advanced capping process, we have to straight leads before power-on for optical coupling. (4) Final burn-in test, operators waste time to insert TO into burn-in board slots manually. You need a lot of manpower to catch up with production rate.

Left: retracted, Right: after straighten

To response this demand for more automation, TO-CAN Lead Straightener is the best way to save manpower waste. It could make the pins separate from each other and straight lead to to vertical direction. Let you to ensure no short-circuit, and easily inserted into the burn-in test socket.

Burn-in Test Socket

Development of TO-CAN Lead Straightener

At early development stage, TO-CAN Lead Straightener mechanism is designed for coupled capping device. Booster-Machine founder, Mr. Hsu, further extend his original design to apply TO-56 4-pin straight, with light coupled on capping equipment. Then, developed "completely manual loading and unloading," "semi-automatic single-tray feeding", "fully automatic multi-tray" and other models.Through many years of research and hard work, Booster-Machine was finally developed straightener for TO-46 5 pins and 6 pins. We can said automation process for fiber-optic communications industry has taken a step forward.Please contact Booster Machine, we could help you to straight lead easily.